Catholic Prayer: Ave Maris Stella (Hail Star of the Sea)
Description:
This evening prayer for Solemnities of Our Lady is attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (530-609). St. Bernard explains that the name Mary "is said to mean 'satr of the sea' . . . Indeed, most aptly is she compared to a star; for as a star sheds its beams without decay on its part, so the Virgin brought forth her Son without any damage to her virginity" (Roman Breviary, Lesson IV, Sept. 12).
Prayer:
| AVE maris stella, Dei Mater alma, atque semper Virgo, felix caeli porta. | HAIL, O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav'nly rest. |
| Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore, funda nos in pace, mutans Hevae nomen. | Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us, changing Eve's name. |
| Solve vincula reis, profer lumen caecis mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce. | Break the sinners' fetters, make our blindness day, Chase all evils from us, for all blessings pray. |
| Monstra te esse matrem: sumat per te preces, qui pro nobis natus, tulit esse tuus. | Show thyself a Mother, may the Word divine born for us thine Infant hear our prayers through thine. |
| Virgo singularis, inter omnes mites, nos culpis solutos, mites fac et castos. | Virgin all excelling, mildest of the mild, free from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled. |
| Vitam praesta puram, iter para tutum: ut videntes Iesum semper collaetemur. | Keep our life all spotless, make our way secure till we find in Jesus, joy for evermore. |
| Sit laus Deo Patri, summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto, tribus honor unus. | Amen. Praise to God the Father, honor to the Son, in the Holy Spirit, be the glory one. Amen. |
| From the Liturgia Horarum. Translation based on a cento from the Roman Breviary. (ref Raccolta, #321). | |
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